Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-02-01

oouiu oCcuE IuT sectiUual Huu pOiiGlCAl
reasons only and would have no effect
upon the constitutional standing of the
new states.
In the light of thj sc conclusions it has
been decided by the most ardent state
hood workers within Dakota to unite
in request to the legislature to enact
a law which shall authorize and convene |
constitutional conventions for both north
Dakota and south Dakota, with the
purpose of organizing two states and two
state governments under the state names |
OF North Dakota and South Dakota,
placing the dividing line between the
two states along the seventh standard |
parallel. The legislature will be asked
to make full provision for these two CON
stitutional conventions and to create |
such laws as will enable the two
states 20 pass ifso actual existence
without Inconvenience and without any
conflict of jurisdiction or authority
between the governments of the states
and the government of the territory
they are to supersede. TO this end the
Legislature will be asked to make full
provision Ey law for putting in motion
the machinery of statehood government
in each OF the proposed states.
This movement is instituted in the
full conviction, based upon past e1-
periences and recent Developments,
that unless the whole people of both
Dakotas, with unenimity and energy,
take immediate and practical steps to
assert and Institute their right to self
government, they are doomed to from six
to ten more years Of territorial vassalage.
It is fully believed that the voice of
Dakota will 60 forth in behalf of this
proposition and that the Legislature can
perform no greater oct of justice to their
constituents than to open the way to
easy and certain statehood.
The movement it is now proposed to
inaugurate is based upon these facts and
conclusions:
A great majority in both north and
south Dakota favor the admission into
the union of two states to be created
from the domain of Dakota.
The demand for the division OF Dakota
and the creation OF two states is justified
by area, population, wealth, internal
resources and governmental necessities,
The future interests of the millions
who are to inhabit the proposed two
Dakotas demand this solution CT the
| statehood problem.
The future interests OF the great north
| west enter into the consideration of this
case. There is political and sectional
demand that our territorial empire OF
one hundred and fifty thousand square
miles, equaling in extent the whole OF
New England and the states OF New.
Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio and
| West Virginia combined, eleven states
IN ell, should secure at least four senators
to help Offset the twenty-five allowed
the states enumerated.
The territory OF Dakota now contains
over g half million people and with ,ts
area of arabic land is fitted to maintain
dense population.
Possessing an area nearly equal to that
Of the Atlantic states, capable of sus-
tanning population of one hundred to
the square mile-ffteen million people
lit would be groes injustice to compel
Dakota to accept only two senators
against the thirty-two allowed the Attain
tic states. This injustice once accom-
| plished must be endured for all time and
would be productive OF future evils and
dangers which tits onr duty to avoid.
There is no prospect, no hope, that
congress will take any steps to relieve
Dakota from its long ago outgrown tes-
ritorlal condition. The present congress-
has announced Its purpose to ignore
Dakota's demands. The next congress
will beengrossed in matters pertaining to
the approaching presiden tial election and
in absorbing soclsl, labor and commercial
questions nov forcing themselves into
prominence. Dakota will be left to care
for itself and Its legislature should not
permit the biennial session to pass with
out arming the people in their own be-
half and clothing them with the power
to do that which congress will surely
neglect to do.
By performing this solemn duty the
Legislature will invite the people toan
easy and happy solution of the diff
culties OF the present-will enable them
to emerge from territorial insecurity and
take upon themselves full local powers
OF stable state government.
| .-.--.-..-=
In case Of war with England would
Dakota be called upon to furnish it's
quota OF soldiers2 1t has never been
permitted to participate In political
event, yet there is ground for the pre-.
sumption that it would be called upon
| to furnish its share of blood and treasure
in support Of a government which re-
fuses to recognize it's rights.
| -
Having shied its castor into the Brit.
ish ring the government Of the United
States is seriously ENDURING into the
condition Of our coast defenees and oul
nayv Tho dfscouarv ia Tnada that ul